Most drivers of electric vehicles rely on DC fast chargers for long and multi-city trips, according to a recent customer survey from FLO that includes 40,000 EV driver respondents in Canada and the United States.
The survey found that 42% of respondents use these chargers at least once a month, while 60% rely on them for extended or multi-city trips. It also pointed to the importance of reliable, public charging infrastructure as 29% of participants do not have a charging station setup at their home.
“FLO’s survey demonstrates the need for more robust charging solutions across North America, enabling drivers to plug in wherever they are — at work, home, or on the go,” said FLO President and CEO Louis Tremblay in a statement.
EV owners also use a combination of chargers: 35% of respondents mostly use Level 2 stations, 27% primarily use DC fast charging stations, and 31% relying on both. And they tend to remain local or within range of a single overnight charge. The survey found that 30% of Canadian respondents will drive 151-250 kilometres per week, while 37% of Americans will drive around 161-322 kilometres per week.
“Hearing from almost 40,000 EV drivers is extremely informative and points towards the effectiveness of both at home and public charging networks in supporting the day-to-day lives of most EV drivers and providing the best charging experience one session at a time.”
The survey also considered the type of activities that drivers engage in while their vehicle is being charged, with 51% noting they engage with on-site amenities. Sixty-per cent use the time to eat or buy drinks, and 19% shop in nearby retail stores.
